今井優子 Yuko Imai - Reminiscence

Yuko Imai is a singer-songwriter who leads the Japanese AOR and city pop scene. Her highly acclaimed first cover album, "Reminiscence," is now available on LP! The selection of songs that will wow even the most discerning fans is reborn with her lustrous singing voice and exquisite arrangements! Ahead of the recent city pop boom, Imai Yuko covered "Mayonaka no Door ~Stay with me~" (Matsubara Miki) (newly recorded on her 2016 best album "SWEETEST VOICE"), and with her ambitious work "Reminiscence" she has seriously tackled covers. Her free-flowing and comfortable singing voice is backed by a superb sound that is full of authenticity, carefully crafted mainly with live sounds. The arrangements, which subtly exude Imai's characteristic Latin and fusion colors, are also worth listening to. While avoiding the standard songs, the selection of songs is sure to impress AOR and city pop fans with its well-balanced selection of popular and maniacal songs. In addition, it includes a new song "Eternal Promise" written by Imai herself, which is truly YUKO-SOUND, making this a comprehensive collection of works that goes beyond just a cover album. "Singer-songwriter Imai Yuko, who has actively covered classic Japanese and foreign songs in the past, has decided to take on the challenge of a covers album in the current climate where easy city pop covers are inundated. The contents of the collaboration include the participation of Abe Jun, a talented arranger who has participated in three consecutive albums, in constructing her fusion side and Latin side. Kajiwara Jun and Tomonari Yoshihiro, old friends of Kadomatsu Toshiki's family, form the unit Kawanari Jun, who adds color to the graceful organic side. The balance between her vocals, backed by her career, and her stance in expressing classic songs with her own interpretation is exquisite. Her smooth and beautiful singing voice and the ultra-realistic band ensemble will make a big difference from ordinary covers." -- Kanazawa Toshikazu (Light Mellow)